Recent L5-S1 fusion

Posted by fine137 @fine137, Dec 22, 2019

Diagnosed with Spondylolisthesis about 30 years ago. Didn’t cause me much pain except for the yearly episodes of throwing my back out and being laid up for a week or so. But 2 years ago morphed into pretty much constant pain, especially when sitting.

Doctor finally recommended surgical fusion option and I had the procedure done 9 days ago. According to him it went well and he is optimistic on the ultimate outcome. I am fairly mobile, doing about 90 minutes of walking each day, but by the end of the day, when it’s time to go to bed, the pain becomes almost unbearable without meds. During the day there is pain, but it’s quite manageable. Why does it peak at night? Am I doing too much during the day perhaps? Or some other reason? I do not take pain medication during the day, but do have to resort to a pill at night.

Overall what does recovery from surgery look like, how long might it take for that whole area to calm down so that most of the pain is gone, even though it will be 3-6 months for the bone to grow? This recovery is not like any I have experienced before, meaning it feels plateaued where I don’t have marked improvement on a day to day basis, but rather plateaus followed by slight improvement. Is that normal.

I know my doctor should answer these questions, but while a highly respected surgeon he seems to have no time for these types of queries.

Thanks

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chefmike2010 | @chefmike2010 | Oct 15, 2021

I had L-5,S-1 fusion, April 28. I’m now fused, L-2-S-1. I had a Laminectomy that re-wired S-1 to T-11. Besides the Anterior and Posterior (12”) incisions I had an additional incision at the top of my left buttocks to remove a failed stimulator. The sciatica I’ve had off and on for 45 years is gone. The pain of the surgery still haunts me after 4.5 months. I’m told it will heal in 9-12 months. The pain level is the same daily right now with or without Perc. I use an ice pack at bedtime and when I fall asleep and I don’t feel enough pain to keep me awake. It does take me longer to fall asleep, probably from worrying about it all. I met the vascular surgeon that morning before I was put to sleep and he seemed in a very bad mood and certainly wasn’t used to talking to an awake patient. I honestly think my innards were roughed up during that anterior part of my surgery and I now have Crohns Colitis (just my theory), starting 2 weeks after surgery. You will plateau for awhile in pain and I am in mid 70’s so its expected for me to take longer in recovery. Just part of it, I guess.

jasnat | @jasnat | Oct 19, 2021

In reply to @suerc "Has anyone had lumbar steroid injections and Si joint injections after fusions. And is there a..." + (show)

Yes I had a rod from L1-L5 for scoliosis surgery. I have and have had severe pain in the buttocks area the “peri…..” so I had cortisone shots on both areas and I feel tremendous relief on the right side but not on the left side. Your pain doc will have to advise about limit to number of shots. I realize you wanted to know about S1 but that I have not had done.

chefmike2010 | @chefmike2010 | Oct 20, 2021

You will go through ebbs and tides during your recovery. some days good, some bad. But, moving ahead as long as you do nothing stressful and hurt the muscles which sets you back a few days. Personally, I think there will always be some discomfort from the foreign hardware in your back but manageable. You’ll be ok. Long recovery so don’t get ahead of yourself.

gcranor | @gcranor | Oct 21, 2021

In reply to @chefmike2010 "You will go through ebbs and tides during your recovery. some days good, some bad. But,..." + (show)

Very true and years don’t help. After 8 fusions over 20 years the pain is always there. Stay healthy, keep exercising, enjoy every day!

maddiemae | @maddiemae | Oct 4, 2023

<p>Hi. Maddiemae here. I just had spinal fusion surgery, L5 S1.</p><p>Does anybody have insights into recovery?</p>

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Oct 6, 2023

In reply to @maddiemae "Hi. Maddiemae here. I just had spinal fusion surgery, L5 S1.Does anybody have insights into recovery?" + (show)

@maddiemae I am a spine surgery patient and my fusion was cervical. Recovering from spinal fusion takes a lot of patience and care, and no doubt you are working at that right now. Because you bear most of your body weight at the site of your surgery, that makes recovery a bit more challenging.

Here is another discussion where you can meet other members who also had a fusion at L5S1.

Spine Health - Recent L5-S1 fusion
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/recent-l5-s1-fusion/
Are you seeing improvement yet since your surgery? When will you follow up with your surgeon?

maddiemae | @maddiemae | Oct 7, 2023

In reply to @jenniferhunter "@maddiemae I am a spine surgery patient and my fusion was cervical. Recovering from spinal fusion..." + (show)

Thank you so much for your reply and I hope you're recovering well.

Your are so right about the care and patience required for recovery. I'm so worried that I'm not keeping my back straight enough during this process. I'll find out on October 27th when my surgeon will take an x-ray to check it.

In addition to this I need hip replacement and this is causing no end of pain but I'll have to wait 6 months for that surgery.

I hope you continue to improve daily.

Phil, Alumni Mentor | @upstatephil | Oct 7, 2023

In reply to @maddiemae "Hi. Maddiemae here. I just had spinal fusion surgery, L5 S1.Does anybody have insights into recovery?" + (show)

Are you maintaining a diary? I found my diary to provide a useful set of recovery milestones which, as I slowly improved, provided great positive feedback that I actually WAS improving. The passage of time was surprisingly indistinct during recovery and my diary gave me a good time anchor: How did I feel a week ago? Two weeks ago? I commonly felt frustration with my recovery trajectory but nearly always felt better using the reference of my diary to "see" that I really was getting better. I've been following a general three-part recovery timetable: (1) Three months until I start to feel better (that was true). (2) Six months to be able to medically gauge the overall success of the surgery. (I meet with the neurosurgeon in a few weeks for that assessment). (3) 12 months to full recovery...hopefully sooner...Best wishes.

solom174 | @solom174 | Oct 7, 2023

In reply to @maddiemae "Hi. Maddiemae here. I just had spinal fusion surgery, L5 S1.Does anybody have insights into recovery?" + (show)

I had T3-5 fusion 3 months ago today. While technically I have improved since post-surgery when I could barely move out of bed, I cannot see a full recovery in my future and there has been no advice on how recovery to normal is to realistically proceed. As @upstatephil describes, recovery is not marked by trends you can see/feel moving forward, rather it is nebulous and often feels like you are going backwards - very inconsistent. I hope that there is such a thing as full recovery.

Phil, Alumni Mentor | @upstatephil | Oct 8, 2023

In reply to @maddiemae "Hi. Maddiemae here. I just had spinal fusion surgery, L5 S1.Does anybody have insights into recovery?" + (show)

Wow. It's way too early post-surgery to reach the conclusion you "cannot see a full recovery in your future"! Having a positive outlook and mentally picturing positive outcomes is an important aspect of your recovery journey. Banish negative thoughts and think "I will recover". I was told: (1) three months to start feeling better, (2) six months to feel more like myself, and (3) 12 months for full recovery. You're still pretty early on that general time-line. You can do this!